Choi considers run for Congress

Irvine – Mayor Steven Choi said he might run for Republican Rep. John Campbell's open seat in Congress next year and thinks he has a good shot at it.

"Chances don't come around that easily," Choi said after Tuesday's City Council meeting. "It is very tempting."

The recently redrawn 45th Congressional District – which includes Irvine, the largest city in the political boundary that stretches from Anaheim Hills to Mission Viejo – skews conservative with Republicans making up 45 percent of the registered voters versus Democrats accounting for 28 percent.

Choi noted that at his age the opportunity might not arise again in a mainly Republican district. Plus, he said, there's a better chance of shepherding reforms through Republican-leaning Congress than against the Democratic supermajority in the State Assembly.

"It's a brighter prospect that you can get the job done," he said.

He also told the Register's Martin Wisckol that the Korean American community would like to see one of their own in Washington, D.C.

But Choi isn't jumping at the chance just yet. He still wants to meet with more people to discuss the position, including Campbell. Besides, there's still work to be done at home.

"It has a lot of risk involved because if I run and don't make it, then I may not have the opportunity to run for mayor again," he told the Register.

Elections for the Congressional seat and Irvine mayor are both next year.

Choi isn't the only one eyeing Campbell's spot. Fellow Republicans have been lining up for the chance to lead the district. State Sen. Mimi Walters and retired Marine Col. Greg Raths, both plan to run, and Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach, also a Republican, has said he'll be vying for it, too.

Campbell announced late last month that he wouldn't seek reelection after five terms in the seat. He was first elected to Congress in a special election in 2005.

Former Irvine Mayor Sukhee Kang, a Democrat, ran for Congress last year and lost to Campbell in the newly drawn district. Kang garnered 41.5 percent of the vote. Irvine Councilwoman Beth Krom, also a Democrat, tried in 2010 when it was still the 48th district, but she was bested by Campbell, who got 59.9 percent of the vote. Krom earned 36.4 percent.